Nuclear transfer and cloning

Ultraviolet-induced erythema is now recognized as an important clinical marker for skin cancer risk. People with a history of repeated erythematous exposures to sunlight are more likely to develop both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers. Is erythema the most important thing we need to be concerned about in terms of protecting the public from the harmful effects of sunlight? What do we know about UV-induced erythema, and why is it a powerful influence on skin cancer risk?     

Use of pentastarch solution in the treatment of patients with hemorrhagic hypovolemia: randomized phase II study in the emergency room

The weeping fig, Ficus benjamina (Fb), is a relatively common indoor allergen. Many cases of perennial allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and allergic asthma caused by Fb hypersensitivity are not detected. These patients typically have proven sensitization to housedust mites and do not improve after avoidance of exposure (encasing) and specific immunotherapy. The number of Fb sensitizations is increasing in Germany, which can partly be explained by the cross-reactivity between Hevea brasiliensis (Hb) latex and Fb and the rapidly increasing number of mostly occupational latex allergies. But Fb itself is a potential sensitizer which is widely spread as ornamental plant in homes and offices. As relevant indoor allergen Fb ranks third after housedust mites and pets but before molds among our allergy patients. For diagnosis, prick-tests with Fb-latex seem to be more sensitive than in vitro-methods (RAST, CAPRAST). Fb plants should not be kept in the homes of atopic individuals or persons with latex (Hb) allergy.     

Consumption coagulopathy associated with shock in acute African swine fever

We studied the evolution of shock using a comprehensive array of haematological tests in pigs infected with the highly virulent strain Malawi '83 (Lilongwe 20/1). A sudden onset of illness was observed between day 5 and 7 after inoculation with development of flush, episodes of epistaxis and melaena. Prior to these clinical signs, initiation of a consumption coagulopathy was demonstrated with loss of antithrombin III and plasminogen activity. Our findings indicate that during infection with this highly virulent strain the development of a consumption coagulopathy precedes and possibly contributes to shock, which results in haemorrhage and death.     

The high jugular bulb: report of five cases and a review of the literature

The jugular bulb varies widely in position and dimensions. A high jugular bulb is not an uncommon finding in temporal bones. Besides our five cases with different clinical manifestations, we review 52 cases diagnosed clinically and published previously in the English literature. The high jugular bulb occurs more often on the right temporal bone. Certain pathologic conditions, such as an abnormal bone formation, an aberrant sinusojugular system, or decreased pneumatization of the mastoid bone, may predispose an individual to its occurrence. Most people with this anatomical variation remain asymptomatic. However, various otologic problems and symptoms may be attributed to this condition. A high resolution computed tomography scan is the most convenient diagnostic tool at present. Law projection plain mastoid radiography may reveal a high jugular bulb in certain cases, providing a preoperative warning to an otologic surgeon. An exploratory tympanotomy is not suggested for those with a high jugular bulb with a conductive hearing loss, while jugular vein ligation has been reported to have good results in alleviating intractable pulsatile tinnitus. For most asymptomatic patients, regular long-term follow-up is recommended.     

Postsurgical wound progression monitored by temporal changes in the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9

It is important to monitor the early stages of postoperative wound repair in order to identify those problems associated with impaired healing. Many of the crucial cellular responses of early wound healing, such as inflammatory infiltration, angiogenesis and re-epithelialization, are made possible through the action of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 is elevated in acute wounds, and still greater levels are found in chronic wounds, indicating that uncontrolled proteolysis is a characteristic of retarded healing. Therefore, comparative measurements of MMPs may be used to monitor the progression of early wound healing. To investigate this, wound fluids and sera were collected from mastectomy and colectomy patients throughout early stages of repair, and the temporal expression profile established. Wounds which were healing were expressed maximal levels of MMP-9 at 24 h, followed by a significant decline by 48 h. Persistent elevation of MMP-9 expression was associated with infected and chronic wounds, and was identified in postoperative wounds by the absence of the significant decline between 24 and 48 h. Measurement of MMP-9 in postoperative wound fluids, therefore, provides an early indicator of impaired healing, which may be evaluated non-invasively within 48 h of closure.     

Update on lumbar spinal stenosis. Retrospective study of 62 patients and review of the literature

Bactenecin 5 (Bac 5), a cationic antibacterial peptide, contains a repeating region of Arg-Pro-Pro-X (X = hydrophobic residue). To investigate the structure and property of a Pro/Arg-rich region, we synthesized a series of repeating peptides, Ac-(Arg-Pro-Pro-Phe)n-NHCH3 (n = 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10) (PR2, PR4, PR6, PR8 and PR10) as models. The circular dichroism (CD) study suggested that the peptides with longer repeats, PR6, PR8 and PR10, formed a conformation similar to poly(proline)-II in aqueous solution. The CD spectra did not change in the presence of dipalmitoyl-DL-alpha-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), but they changed in the presence of DPPC/ dipalmitoyl-DL-3-phosphatidylglycerol (DPPG). The gamma-helix, which is very similar in conformation to the poly(proline)-II helix, had the lowest energy conformation for the peptides by energy calculations. Peptides PR6, PR8 and PR10 caused slight leakage of fluorescent dye entrapped in DPPC vesicles, and in the presence of DPPC/DPPG, these peptides showed a considerable level of dye-leakage activity. In contrast, the shorter peptides PR2 and PR4 showed no activity. The same tendency was found in measurements of membrane-fusion activity. Judging from these results, the repeating region of Bac 5 may make a framework to hold a conformation resembling the poly(proline)-II structure in aqueous solution. In addition, this region may interact with acidic lipids, resulting in a change in conformation of the peptide.     

Observer agreement on interpreting colposcopic images of CIN

The purpose of this work was to study intraobserver and interobserver variation in the interpretation of colposcopic images of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Twenty-three experienced colposcopists were asked to assess colposcopic images presented on slides and to select the biopsy site. Eleven cases were independently interpreted twice with an interval of 2-3 months by all observers. No information about the cytological classification was available. In each case the "majority assessment" was considered as the standard, being "no CIN" in 2 cases, CIN I in 4 cases, CIN II in 3 cases, and CIN III in 2 cases. Intraobserver concordance was 66.7%, the kappa value was 0.54. Interobserver agreement was found to be 52.4 and 51.0% in the first and second sessions, respectively, while the mean kappa values were 0.41 and 0.33, respectively. In selecting the site for biopsy, 77.4% of all observers agreed while the same site was selected in 85.3% of cases by the individual colposcopist in the two sessions. Overall, CIN I and II interpretations revealed lower levels of agreement than no CIN or CIN III interpretations. It is concluded that observer variability in interpreting colposcopic images and selecting the site for biopsy is in the same range as observer variation in other subjective diagnostic tests such as cytology and histopathology. This variation should be taken into account in the colposcopical management of patients with abnormal cytology.